The effect of smart glasses combined with ultrasound on radial arterial catheterization: a randomized controlled trial

Background The integration of smart glasses with ultrasound technology offers a novel approach to improve the efficiency of radial arterial catheterization. Few studies have investigated the effectiveness of smart glasses in enhancing procedural outcomes in a clinical setting. This study aims to assess whether smart glasses combined with ultrasound can improve the initial success rate of radial artery catheterization compared to traditional ultrasound-guided methods in adults. Methods This single-blinded, randomized controlled trial enrolled patients aged 18-70 with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I-III, who required radial artery catheterization as part of their procedure under general anesthesia. Patients were randomized 1:1 into the ultrasound group and the smart glasses group. Radial arterial catheterization was carried out by one of six anesthesiologists before general anesthesia. The primary endpoint was the first puncture success rate. Secondary endpoints included hand-eye coordination (measured by head rotations, probe repositioning and needle redirections), operator's satisfaction. Results A total of 222 patients were analyzed, with the smart glasses group demonstrating a higher rate of first puncture success compared to the control group (88.3% [98/111] vs. 72.1% [80/111]; P = 0.002; relative risk [RR], 1.23; 95% CI (1.07, 1.40)). Hand-eye coordination improved significantly in the smart glasses group than the control group, including: fewer number of head rotations (0 [0, 0] vs. 3 [2, 6]; P < 0.001); fewer number of ultrasound probe repositioning (0 [0, 0] vs. 0 [0, 1]; P < 0.001); fewer number of needle redirections (0 [0, 1] vs. 1 [0, 3]; P < 0.001). The proportion of positive satisfaction (81 to 100 points) in the smart glasses group was higher (89.2% [99/111] vs. 69.4% [77/111]; P < 0.001; RR, 1.29; 95% CI (1.12, 1.48)). Conclusions The use of smart glasses significantly improved the first puncture success rate, hand-eye coordination ability and operators' satisfaction in radial arterial catheterization.